Today brought us hope again. We dropped by a slaughterplant near Balikesir. We explained our work to the director and showed him how a captive bolt stunner works. The director learned how to use it and is convinced now that it is better to render the animals unconscious first before cutting them then cutting their throats while still conscious. He used it well on all … [Read more...] about Inspection and stunning at a slaughterhouse near Balikesir, Turkey
slaughterhouses
Meeting and visit of slaughterhouse in Ödemiş, Turkey
At this slaughterhouse 100km east of Izmir where we were this morning, they were at first letting the cattle out of the restraint box immediately after cutting their throats open. It was horrible as cattle remain alive and fully sensitive to pain for at least 40 seconds and often even for several minutes after being cut. A lot of blood has to first come out before they … [Read more...] about Meeting and visit of slaughterhouse in Ödemiş, Turkey
Follow-up visit to slaughterhouse in Gönen, Turkey
Disappointing news. The slaughterhouse in Gönen that we leased a stunner to, and taught the workers how to use last October, sadly no longer use it. This morning they returned the captive bolt stunner to us! All the workers were in favour of rendering the animals unconscious before cutting their throats, and felt better doing so, but their customers are worried that they … [Read more...] about Follow-up visit to slaughterhouse in Gönen, Turkey
Inspection of sheep slaughter at a slaughterhouse near Tekirdag, Turkey
Today we visited a slaughterhouse that leased one of our stunners 2 years ago to render the cattle unconscious before slaughter. The chief butcher is a strong supporter of the captive bolt stunner and uses it as often as he can to stun cattle first. He cannot use it on all cattle as in Turkey the owner of the animal decides, there is no national legislation making stunning … [Read more...] about Inspection of sheep slaughter at a slaughterhouse near Tekirdag, Turkey
Meeting with large Turkish animal-welfare NGO Haytap
We are back in Turkey to do follow-up checks on the slaughterhouses that we had leased a stunner to and taught the employees how to render animals unconscious first with it before cutting their throats. However, this week we are also meeting with NGOs and meat companies, so that they also put pressure on slaughterhouses in Turkey to clean up their act. This morning we met … [Read more...] about Meeting with large Turkish animal-welfare NGO Haytap
Follow-up inspection of Gosschalk slaughterhouse, NL
Today Eyes on Animals was again at Gosschalk, a Dutch slaughterhouse that had had many serious welfare issues caught on tape and exposed last year by Varkens in Nood. We were hesitant to respond to Gosschalks' request for help at first but decided to test them out to see how serious they were about really reducing animal stress and pain. Several months after our first … [Read more...] about Follow-up inspection of Gosschalk slaughterhouse, NL
Visit to Van Rooi slaughterhouse (NL) after animal welfare improvements
Today Eyes on Animals visited Van Rooi slaughterhouse in Helmond (NL) where several improvements were implemented following our advice. A large section of the automatic push gates (that lead the pigs to the CO2 stunner) were removed and replaced by calm workers. This has significantly reduced stress levels amongst the pigs. The pigs now walk more calmly and their … [Read more...] about Visit to Van Rooi slaughterhouse (NL) after animal welfare improvements
Inspection goat-kids slaughterhouse in Brabant (NL)
Today we inspected a slaughterhouse where goat-kids are slaughtered. A lot of goat-kids are sent to slaughter only a week after birth, because there is no time, space or financial gain for the goat farmer to fatten them. This issue mainly concerns male kids (as these don’t produce milk) and female kids that are no longer needed. They are slaughtered as soon as they are … [Read more...] about Inspection goat-kids slaughterhouse in Brabant (NL)
Evaluation of Brand pig slaughterhouse in Lohne, Germany
Today, Eyes on Animals together with Dr. Kees Scheepens was asked by Brand pig slaughterhouse to visit their slaughterhouse to evaluate conditions inside and see if we had any new ideas for what they could do to decrease any unnecessary suffering or stress. Brand slaughterhouse uses CO2 to stun pigs, which remains a welfare problem as inhaling CO2 causes a … [Read more...] about Evaluation of Brand pig slaughterhouse in Lohne, Germany
Promising news from a slaughterhouse in north-eastern Turkey
After a successful meeting yesterday with the mayor of a city in North East Turkey, Asalet from Eyes on Animals was sent to visit the local municipal slaughterhouse to teach the slaughtermen how to use a captive bolt stunner on cattle, so that the pain and fear of the animals could be reduced. We know that slaughter can never be “ humane” but what a HUGE difference this … [Read more...] about Promising news from a slaughterhouse in north-eastern Turkey
